NFL Top 100 2023 free agents: Lamar Jackson, Derek Carr, Geno Smith top the list

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The following are PFT’s top 100 free agents for the start of the 2023 league year. The rankings include prospective unrestricted free agents and released players. The list will be updated as events warrant, with signings, tags and re-signings denoted when announced and/or reported. Players released after initial publication may be added and all 100 players initially on the list will still be listed after any additions.

1. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (Placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him on March 7.)

2. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (Signed with the Saints on March 6.)

3. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (Agreed to re-sign with the Seahawks on March 6.)

4. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (Agreed to re-sign with the Giants on March 7.)

5. Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Agreed to sign with the 49ers on March 13.)

6. Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (Commanders used franchise tag on Payne before signing him to a four-year, $90 million deal on March 12.)

7. Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown (Agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with the Bengals on March 15.)

8. Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean (Agreed to re-sign with Buccaneers on March 13.)

9. Eagles safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Lions on March 19.)

10. Bengals safety Jessie Bates (Agreed to four-year deal with Falcons on March 13.)

11. 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (Agreed to sign with the Broncos on March 13.)

12. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (Agreed to re-sign with the Eagles on March 14.)

13. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (Agreed to sign with the Raiders on March 13.)

14. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (Raiders placed the franchise tag on him March 6.)

15. Giants running back Saquon Barkley (Giants placed the franchise tag on him March 7.)

16. Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (Agreed to a four-year, $57 million deal with the Browns on March 13.)

17. Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (Agreed to three-year deal with the Bears on March 13.)

18. Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner (Agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Seahawks on March 25.)

19. Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers (Agreed to three-year deal with the Raiders on March 14.)

20. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David (Agreed to re-sign with the Buccaneers on March 15.)

21. Titans linebacker David Long (Agreed to two-year deal with the Dolphins on March 13.)

22. Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (Agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal with the Vikings on March 13.)

23. Broncos defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones (Agreed to three-year, $51 million deal with the Seahawks on March 13.)

24. Jaguars offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (Agreed to four-year deal with the Chiefs on March 13.)

25. Cardinals defensive lineman Zach Allen (Agreed to three-year deal with the Broncos on March 13.)

26. Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (Agreed to four-year deal with the Bears on March 13.)

27. Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (Agreed to two-year deal with the Patriots on March 13.)

28. Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox (Agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal to return to the Eagles on March 15.)

29. Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard on March 6.)

30. Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (Agreed to stay with the Falcons on a three-year, $34.5 million deal on March 14.)

31. Ravens offensive guard Ben Powers (Agreed to sign with the Broncos on March 13.)

32. 49ers edge rusher Charles Omenihu (Agreed to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $20 million with the Chiefs on March 14.)

33. Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Buccaneers on March 15.)

34. Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (Agreed to re-sign with the Eagles on March 10.)

35. Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters

36. Packers receiver Allen Lazard (Agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets on March 14.)

37. Colts edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue

38. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Engram on March 6.)

39. Lions offensive guard Evan Brown (Agreed to one-year deal with Seahawks on March 16.)

40. Bills safety Jordan Poyer (Agreed to re-sign with the Bills on March 15.)

41. Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (Agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $9 million with the Texans on March 20.)

42. Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (Agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with the Patriots on March 15.)

43. Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers on March 13.)

44. Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (Agreed to stay with Bengals on a three-year, $21 million deal on March 13.)

45. 49ers edge rusher Samson Ebukam (Agreed to three-year deal with the Colts on March 14.)

46. Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki (Agreed to one-year deal with the Patriots on March 17.)

47. Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke (Agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal with the Giants on March 13.)

48. 49ers safety Jimmie Ward (Agreed to terms on a deal with the Texans on March 13.)

49. Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Dolphins on May 14.)

50. Jaguars edge rusher Arden Key (Agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Titans on March 14.)

51. Eagles offensive guard Isaac Seumalo (Agreed to terms on a three-year deal on March 19.)

52. Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans on March 20.)

53. Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (Agreed to terms with the Chargers on March 13.)

54. Free agent receiver Odell Beckham (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Ravens on April 9.)

55. Texans edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Agreed to three-year deal with Browns on March 13.)

56. Titans tight end Austin Hooper (Signed one-year deal with Raiders on March 22.)

57. Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (Agreed to re-sign with the Cowboys on March 14.)

58. Titans offensive guard Nate Davis (Agreed to sign with the Bears on March 13.)

59. Saints defensive lineman David Onyemata (Agreed to sign with the Falcons on March 13.)

60. Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 22.)

61. Giants safety Julian Love (Agreed to two-year deal with Seahawks on March 17.)

62. Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (Agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Vikings on March 14.)

63. Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (Agreed to re-sign with Cowboys on three-year on March 14.)

64. Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett (Agreed to terms on a deal with the Commanders on March 15.)

65. Raiders cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Ravens on May 3.)

66. Browns center Ethan Pocic (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns on March 13.)

67. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (Agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Broncos on March 13.)

68. Vikings receiver Adam Thielen (Agreed to terms with Panthers on March 19.)

69. Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater

70. Bengals safety Vonn Bell (Agreed to sign with the Panthers on March 13.)

71. Lions receiver D.J. Chark (Agreed to a one-year deal on March 24.)

72. Rams safety Taylor Rapp (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Bills on March 27.)

73. Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (Agreed to sign with the Lions on March 13.)

74. Eagles running back Miles Sanders (Agreed to a deal with the Panthers on March 15.)

75. Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill (Agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Browns on March 15.)

76. Chiefs defensive lineman Frank Clark

77. Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs on March 17.)

78. Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (Agreed to one-year deal with the Texans.)

79. Ravens outside linebacker Justin Houston

80. Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy

81. Jets center Connor McGovern (Re-signed with Jets on April 24.)

82. Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell (Agreed to terms with the Falcons on March 29.)

83. Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (Agreed to terms on a contract with the Panthers on March 15.)

84. Raiders offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (Agreed to re-sign with the Raiders on March 16.)

85. Bears running back David Montgomery (Agreed to three-year, $18 million deal with the Lions on March 14.)

86. Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (Agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Cardinals on March 13.)

87. 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (Agreed to terms with the Titans on March 14.)

88. Broncos offensive guard Dalton Risner

89. Packers safety Adrian Amos

90. Colts receiver Parris Campbell (Agreed to one-year deal with Giants on March 16.)

91. Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (Agreed to one-year deal with Texans on March 22.)

92. Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (Agreed to one-year deal with 49ers on March 13.)

93. Giants receiver Darius Slayton (Agreed to two-year deal to re-sign with Giants on March 16.)

94. Broncos offensive tackle Cameron Fleming

95. Eagles safety Marcus Epps (Agreed to sign with the Raiders on March 13.)

96. Bengals cornerback Eli Apple

97. Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (Agreed to re-sign with Steelers on March 14.)

98. Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker (Agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Bears on March 13.)

99. Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (Agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on March 15.)

100. 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (Agreed to one-year deal with the Lions on March 14.)

101. Eagles safety Kyzir White (Agreed to two-year deal with the Cardinals on March 14.)

102. Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox (Agreed to re-sign with the Chargers on March 15.)

103. Jets offensive tackle George Fant

104. Titans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.

72 responses to “NFL Top 100 2023 free agents: Lamar Jackson, Derek Carr, Geno Smith top the list

  1. Interesting OBJ made it to this list above Michael Thomas. Thomas had much better 2022 stats than OBJ.

  2. Cowboys would be smart to target Wagner or David but would have to let go of Elliot or Shultz …

  3. Geno Smith should not be top 3 on this list. One season in 10 doesn’t provide a proven track record for a 33 year old. Seattle may need a QB and want him to return, not sure the rest of the league is buying it in top 50. More OL and defensive players are better plug ins.

  4. All those offensive players should be on the way to Washington to play for their new Offensive Coordinator, he is so good they should be willing to take a pay cut just to play for him.

  5. I am surprised to see Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at 68. Actually, I am surprised to see he made the list. This must be a weak free agent market.

  6. Geno Smith is rated above Jimmy G?
    That’s hilarious and prisoner of the moment stuff. Geno has been a bust for 90% of his career. Jimmy G has taken teams to the SB.

  7. dejadoh says:
    February 27, 2023 at 9:09 am
    Geno Smith should not be top 3 on this list. One season in 10 doesn’t provide a proven track record for a 33 year old. Seattle may need a QB and want him to return, not sure the rest of the league is buying it in top 50. More OL and defensive players are better plug ins.
    =========

    Ture, especially when you consider that Pete Carroll is a QB whisperer.

    Look at all the QBs he’s had success with, starting in college, and what they did after leaving.

  8. I’m a bit surprised how high up Geno Smith is. I mean he had one great year, compared to his previous years in the league. No way should he be #3 on the list.

  9. Javon Hargrave the only guy on the list worth paying big money to, other than Carr and Garoppolo for teams that need a QB. McGlinchy stinks.

  10. Going to be a wild QC ride
    – Lamar asking basically for a fully guaranteed contract (owners can’t even afford this)
    – Daniel Jones asking for 45 mil (good luck to that team)
    – A 1 year wonder in Geno (started off red hot, then faded in the stretch)
    – A middling team will throw all their eggs at Carr (Jets?)
    – Rodgers is doing weird Rodger things
    – Bears are shopping #1
    – Then of course what happens in San Fran. Jimmy’s of course out but then you got the largest discrepancy in draft picks ever vying for the starting position

  11. McGlinchey at #11 also seems high, as he can run block very well but he is suspect in pass protection. Maybe he’s up at #11 because because there are not many right tackles available
    and that’s always a need for teams. I’d put him in the twenties.

  12. Daniel Jones at 4 is WAY too high. I would take Jimmy G over him by a mile, and I am not all that high on Jimmy G. I wouldn’t pay him what he will command on the market but I can see why some teams would. Jones really hasn’t proven anything. Move Payne up the list. He won’t ultimately be going anywhere but not for lack of other teams wanting him.

  13. Isiah Wynn #49

    LOL ROFLMAO

    the dude mailed it in the last two years – zero effort

    buyer beware

  14. I’m hoping the Bears can bring back Montgomery but it doesn’t sound good. His yards per carry may have been low last year but the OL sucked. His ability to break tackles is insane. He’ll be an outstanding value for someone.

  15. Having Darnold and Baker above 100 and 99 respectively either speaks to the quality of this years free agent class or your over valuation of the two decent games those guys played last year.

  16. Let’s not get too excited, only a small percentage of these guys will actually hit the street…and they are the more marginal and expensive ones.

  17. I see what you did there!

    Trying to bolster Geno Smith stock isn’t going to work with true football fans SO it’s not going to work with team either…. Geno is what he is and He is NOT a price qb!
    Lamar Jackson is just a headache for coaches, owners and teams and he is certainly no price either…

  18. cs-lewis says:
    February 27, 2023 at 8:02 am
    In what universe is daniel jones ranked higher than mayfield…

    ================================

    Reality where Baker Mayfield was last in QBR and 2nd to last PFF grade. Bust with a capital B.

  19. 6ringsnewengland says:
    February 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
    Isiah Wynn #49

    LOL ROFLMAO

    the dude mailed it in the last two years – zero effort

    buyer beware

    ———

    Yup…..another 1st round whiff

  20. So so many Eagles defensive players on there. Thank god for those 2 first round picks & the offense not losing much, assuming Kielce comes back for 1 more! Going to be an offseason of very difficult decisions

  21. Allen Lazard is #36?? I mean, my team is GB, but in no world does he deserve to be this high on any top list.

  22. duffelbagsports says:
    February 27, 2023 at 11:18 am
    Isaiah Wynn wouldn’t make the top 50 on an XFL list

    ————

    2014 Dominique Easly
    2015
    2016 no pick
    2017 No pick
    2018 Isaiah Wynn / Sony Michel
    2019 N’Keal Harry
    2020 No pick
    2021 Mac Jones
    2022 Cole Strange

    That’s a lot of whiffing going on there…..

  23. Even if jackson was a actual free agent this is a weak free agent pool. Geno is a backup on a dozen nfl teams.

  24. Lamar Jackson – Ravens franchised
    Derek Carr – NY Jets
    Geno Smith – Seattle
    Daniel Jones – Giants
    Garoppolo – Texans

  25. While I think that Garoppolo is better than Geno Smith, when you count availability, Geno comes out on top. A good QB that is injured is useless.

  26. There are some decent plug and play piece players, but absolutely no one worth breaking the cap over, Lamar Jackson included.

    Looks to be a good year for those who need to replace offensive and defensive tackles.

  27. The list includes last year’s 6th 7th 9th and 16th QBR and Derek Carr. No way Jackson and Smith are going anywhere though. Jackson is a one-man offense who has proven to single handily lift a terrible offense and make them good. 25 teams should be trying to put together an offer.

  28. I wonder where you would put Tom Brady on that list if he were to come out of retirement. Let’s discuss that!

  29. Of the 4 Chiefs on this list, I think Hardman is the most likely to hit the market. My money is on the Chiefs holding on to Orlando Brown and JuJu. Would also love to see Thornhill stay, but the way the rookie DB class played, they may let him walk as well.

  30. 10% of the list are Eagles. Howie is going to have a very busy and interesting couple of months ahead of him. Hopefully he keeps making great decisions like he’s been doing. GO BIRDS!!

  31. Seriously, Orlando Brown should be in the top 3. As a Bengals Fan, I would love for them to be able to get him, but it’s not happening. He’s going to be protecting PM for a long time.

  32. Why do so many folks confuse this ‘potential value’ list with past accomplishments/HOF voting type approach? This list is how valued to teams in need of the position of that player, this season. I actually think the list here is okay. I’m thinking JG & Mayfield might be slightly higher, but the order of QB’s overall seems right.

  33. Also, a healthy DJ Chark could provide some great value. I expect whichever team takes a chance on him will be getting a bargain.

  34. Jakobi Meyers is too high. Someone is going to regret signing him.

    I’d take JuJu for considerably less. Same age, similar production last year but Jakobi was the unquestioned #1 while JuJu was no higher than #2 but had others to compete with as well. Not to mention JuJu gas bigger seasons on his resume.

  35. I thought it was funny enough to see a mommy-managed running QB at the top of this list. Then, I saw him labelled as “single-handedly lifting a terrible offense” That’s when I fell out of my chair. But hey, don’t ever forget – he has horrible WRs.

  36. Just taking a glance, the list is trash. Geno Smith is #3? He is 32 years old and had one good year. Yet, Garapollo is below him. Mayfield is #33? Mayfield nearly cleared waivers and is known to be a locker room issue AT QB. Darnold is on the list and Minshew isn’t? Just stop.

  37. I hope Lamar gets the highest paid contract in NFL history .That would be fun to watch…….as long as he doesn’t end up in Miami.

  38. nhpats2011 says:
    February 27, 2023 at 11:44 am
    duffelbagsports says:
    February 27, 2023 at 11:18 am
    Isaiah Wynn wouldn’t make the top 50 on an XFL list

    ————

    2014 Dominique Easly
    2015
    2016 no pick
    2017 No pick
    2018 Isaiah Wynn / Sony Michel
    2019 N’Keal Harry
    2020 No pick
    2021 Mac Jones
    2022 Cole Strange

    That’s a lot of whiffing going on there…..
    **************************************************
    Little pre mature on Mac & Cole, THEY are just getting started…& yet the Pats still managed to play in 9 Super Bowls, collect 6 Lombardi’s, & forever scar the psyche of other teams fans….hmmmmm, guess you got lucky they all weren’t hits over those 2 decades….

  39. Free Agent QB’s or likely to be cut QB’s that Brian Daboll would make into a better QB than Daniel Jones:
    Derek Carr, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Gardner Minshew, Carson Wentz, Mitch Trubisky, Drew Locke, Jarret Stidham

  40. Remember when Geno was all the rage for comeback player of the year? Coming back from 10 lousy seasons in the nfl. And now you want to outbid other teams for a guy that didn’t actually make the playoffs? Yikes. We’ve just seen Genos high side. It’s “not in the playoffs”.

  41. Miami needs to sign McGlinchey, Taylor or McGary at RT. Then draft a TE in Rd 2, now that CB is taken care of.

  42. Lamar Jackson is not a free agent although the franchise tag does allow him to speak with teams

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